Background and career
Gholamreza Takhti (Azerbaijani: Qulamrza Təxti; South Azerbaijani: غلامرضا تختی; Persian: غلامرضا تختی; 27 August 1930 – 7 January 1968) was an Iranian freestyle wrestler and a practitioner of varzesh-e bastani (traditional Persian sport). He was a gold medalist at the 1956 Summer Olympics, 1958 Asian Games, 1959 World Championships, and 1961 World Championships, as well as a three-time Pahlevan of Iran.
Popularly nicknamed Jahân Pahlevân (Persian: جهان پهلوان, lit. 'World Champion') because of his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship (Javanmardi in Iranian culture), he was the most popular athlete of Iran in the 20th century, although dozens of Iranian athletes have won more international medals than he did. Takhti is still considered a hero to many Iranians. He is listed in the UWW Hall of Fame.
